Tshisekedi vows strong response to M23 rebels, accuses Rwanda
President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi has pledged a strong military response to attacks by M23 rebels, accusing Rwanda of backing the group and condemning the international and African communities for their silence on the escalating border conflict.

President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi has pledged a strong military response to attacks by M23 rebels, accusing Rwanda of backing the group and condemning the international and African communities for their silence on the escalating border conflict.
“The east of our country is facing an unprecedented worsening of the security situation. The Rwandan defense forces, in support of their M23 puppets, are continuing their terrorist acts by sowing terror and desolation among our populations,” Tshisekedi said in a televised address late Wednesday.
On Monday, M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, claimed control of Goma, a strategic city, though residents report it remains contested between the rebels and the Congolese army. At least 25 people were killed in Goma, nine in Rwanda, and hundreds were injured. The clashes also claimed the lives of 17 peacekeepers, including 13 South Africans, three Malawians, and another whose nationality is unknown.
Tshisekedi vowed that “a rigorous and coordinated response against these terrorists and their sponsors is underway,” stressing that the Congolese army is “fully mobilized to defend every inch of Congo’s territory.” He accused Rwanda of violating UN principles and regional agreements, stating that its actions amount to “unacceptable provocation towards Congolese sovereignty and sub-regional stability.”
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has repeatedly denied supporting the rebels, but Tshisekedi argued that such actions occur “with total impunity and with a clear disregard for international rules and the values that these institutions are supposed to defend.” He criticized “the silence and inaction” of the UN and the African Union, calling their passivity “bordering on complicity.”
While remaining open to dialogue, Tshisekedi affirmed his commitment to defending Congo “by all means.” He urged the population to mobilize, resist, and stay resilient and directed the government to implement a humanitarian emergency plan for those displaced by the conflict.